Print |
E-mail to a friend
NEWS BRIEFS
Prominent local attorney Hatcher dies
Huntington defense lawyer and former Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney Charlie Hatcher died Friday in a local hospital from an undisclosed illness. He was 65.
Cabell County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Chiles worked both with and against Hatcher. They served as assistants for John Cummings, and later, Hatcher was part of Chiles' team in the prosecutor's office.
They two men had not seen each other for several months, Chiles said, and the early morning call telling him Hatcher had died was not expected.
"His trial experience made him a good attorney," Chiles said. "He represented his clients well whether working for the state or the defense."
Chiles said their personal and professional relationship dates back to the 1990 murder conviction of Lyle McGinnis Jr.
Hatcher was, Chiles said, "an excellent trial attorney and a good friend."
On both sides of the bar, Hatcher was a passionate lawyer, giving every client his very best.
"When he took on a case, he took it on completely," Chiles said.
Fellow defense attorney John Laishley called Hatcher "intense."
Cases were opportunities to get to know a person, delve into their lives and come up with the best way to help them.
"He was genuinely interested in the individual," Laishley said. For example, when Hatcher was assigned one of the Pagan Motorcycle Club cases a year ago, he called Laishley in to consult.
"He was interested in the (defendant) and how he could help," Laishley said.
Both Chiles and Laishley said Hatcher had a love for people.
"I wouldn't hesitate to do anything he asked me," Laishley said. "He'd do the same for you."
Funeral arrangements for Hatcher are incomplete at Henson Mortuary in Barboursville.
